DoubleTree Resort Central Pacific - All-Inclusive

Located only 50 minutes from from San Jose International (SJO) airport using the new highway route 27. Immersed in lush tropical gardens, relaxing sounds of the Pacific Ocean, featuring an expanded outdoor pool complex, friendly All-Inclusive service plus Doubletree Signature bedding and amenities.Children have access to the fun-filled Kidz Paradise with games and activities. Teenagers can enjoy the Teens Club, where they meet to play video games, dance and make some new friends. Every night, families gather in our amphitheatre to enjoy musical shows. Read More About DoubleTree Resort Central Pacific - All-Inclusive

The Sunset Bar: Located on the Pier, opens from 5 to 7 PM. Weather permitting, enjoy the amazing sunsets with a delicious cocktail or your drink of preference.

Lobby Bar: Warmly welcomes you to the resort and is perfect for a bit of relaxation before the nightly shows and entertainment.

Midnight Lounge Bar: Open from 8PM to 2AM for the night owl in you.

Kids Club:

Abundant array of activities including arts and crafts, beach and pool games, sandcastle building, movies, face painting, video games and much more. All the staff is trained and experts in child care.

Teens Club:

All the latest video games, pool table, foosball, air hockey, movies, computers, its own disco with free DJ lessons, some outside activities like bonfires with marshmallows and music and alcohol-free beach parties.

Other Activities and Amenities:($)

NEW - Surfing Lessons

Paddle Boards and ATVs for Rent

SPA Services and Treatments

Salon

Gift and Souvenir Shop

At the Teens Club there is a snack bar and includes non-alcoholic beverages and drinks.

Doubletree Resort by Hilton Puntarenas is All-Inclusive! Forget about your wallet and bring your suntan lotion instead. Beautiful gardens, plenty of restaurants to choose from, and our unique Costa Rican hospitality and style that will make your stay at DoubleTree Resort Central Pacific an unforgettable one that will be... The Way You Like It!

"We booked this trip on a recommendation from friends of ours who had stayed there 2 years previously. They gave us glowing reviews. It seemed to be exactly what we wanted...out of the country, in a tropical location, decently priced, all inclusive, and various excursions to choose from. I also was attracted to the fact that it would a Doubletree brand which made me feel a little more secure than an unknown Costa Rican resort. I did a little research on my own and saw various reviews ranging from the worst place ever to a place not to miss and decided to take it all with a grain of salt and also felt that with our friends' recommendations we couldn't go wrong. But we did.

Overall impression is that it is actually a decent resort and has all the things were were looking for, unfortunately quality was severely lacking and the price was ridiculous for the services rendered. We left Costa Rica feeling as though we had been robbed, granted I put part of that responsibility on ourselves as we were willing participants but I will never return to the resort or Costa Rica for that matter.

Rooms: The only rooms you will see advertised are the 'deluxe upgraded' rooms so therefore when you check in and get a 'regular' room you will be very surprised as we were as to the quality of the room. Also they did not have our room booked appropriately, we reserved a room with a patio but given one without. We were told that no room with a patio was available until the next night. It was late and we were tired so fine we took the available room and were to move the next morning. The next day we packed our belongings and got moved into the next room which reeked of cigarette smoke so we immediately went back to the front desk. I will say kudos to them because they apologized and ended up moving us into building 3, one of the 'upgraded rooms'. Unfortunately, we only had a choice of 2 queen beds on the first floor or a king on the 3rd. These rooms were nicer and much cleaner and newer than the one we had previously been in but to say it was a 'deluxe/upgraded' room is a very, very far stretch. We chose the 3rd floor and stayed there the next 5 nights until the last day before we left we got a notice that the power company was doing maintenance and that the power to the building would be shut off. So on the last day of our trip we got moved to building 2, (another "upgraded... room) and this again had no patio and only one queen sized bed. So we actually never stayed in the type of room we paid for/a first floor room with a patio and king bed. We also had to call them twice for our toilets not working and repeatedly to have washcloths.

Pools: This is one area that I will write glowing reviews. The three pools were immaculate the entire time we were there and there was no trouble getting great seating, especially under the umbrellas.

Ocean: Yes, this is an ocean front resort but no, you should not expect to spend much time there. They did offer boogie board and kayak rentals for free but after 1 hour in the ocean we went back to the pools and spent the rest of our days there. I did know going into it that the beaches were volcanic ash and not white sand but I did not expect the beach to be so full of littered items from the ocean. There was no effort whatsoever to clean the beach and make it more appealing to visitors. I feel that this is a lost asset to the hotel.

Drinks: Alcohol is included but it is so weak and watered down we ended up drinking non-alcoholic drinks after only a few days.

Food: This was the area I was least impressed with and most disappointed by. It was all room temperature/they seem to not understand how or why to keep food hot or cold. They also never seemed bothered all the flies or birds swarming around. I'm amazed neither of us got sick. The food was constantly recycled and always showed up at another meal and the quality was very poor. Rice and beans and fruit ended up being our staple and go-to meal whenever we couldn't find anything else, which was often, and was a disappointment seeing how much had paid. We had two nights to dine in there "finer dining... restaurants and they were definitely a step above the buffet but also lacking in quality. I did expect better as this is a Doubletree resort.

Excursions: Way, way, way overpriced for what you get. We booked two tours and I wanted to book a third but thank goodness I didn't. We zip-lined at Los Suenos and they were very professional and it was a very safe environment. However, the advertising was a little misleading as to how high up you were going to be and the views you would see. I feel that if I had gone in with no expectations I would have been very happy but the expectations they set you up for were definitely not met. The next trip we went on was called the "Fire and Water Tour... and sounded fantastic but again fell short. We visited the Poas volcano crater, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Baldi Hot Spring resort, and Arenal. The first volcano was a hit as we had a clear view but be forewarned it is very possible to pay to see it and only see clouds/that's what happened later in our day at Arenal. Also, you do not go up Arenal, you only look at it from the base. La Paz was fun, we got to see many wildlife, although it was much more of a zoo setting than in a natural habitat. We only saw 3 waterfalls and I'm not sure if this was because that's all there were or if our guide was ready to go. The Baldi Hot springs resort was very nice but I was hoping for natural hot springs. Also, it's a little obvious that they heat the water themselves/the volcano isn't doing any work. I was hoping for more nature/natural things to do but basically ended up going to a zoo and another resort. Maybe I should have done more research prior to booking but I do feel their advertisements are misleading. The guides were very friendly but seemed to be on a strict schedule which was humorous considering the rest of Costa Rica is not this way. I do feel that some of what we missed out on was that they cut things a little short or were ready to leave.

Customer Service: They are very friendly there and seem to want to help you but when you try and address actual issues with the staff they very quickly explain away things and become evasive. I hate to say this because I know this can be construed poorly but it was something we definitely experienced, their ability to communicate in English seemed to coincide with how well things were going. When things were great and going well they could talk your ear off but once you addressed a problem with them, it was suddenly "lo siento, no se... (I'm sorry, I don't understand).

Travel: You are at their mercy and therefore get to pay whatever the cab or shuttle driver say, and I'm sure they increase their price once they know you are North American/European. Also there is a tax at the airport of $29 to leave the country. What?!? I know, I never experienced that traveling between Germany and America.

I will not be returning and will definitely be researching more whenever I travel to another developing country.
"

Posted: Tue, Jun 18, 2013

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Would Return or Recommend?No

BookIt.com Verified Traveler
Yulia from Fort Lee, Nj

"very good food, lots of iguanas (!), but you won't be able (most likely) to use actual beach, so consider pools instead;
they do not have free wi-fi in rooms (!) and do not give you enough hair conditioner if you do not ask;
when leaving - make sure that you have everything packed! because it is almost impossible to receive anything back even if you know for sure that they found your stuff! times runs differently there (well - it walks there, or - wobbles), and you feel that you talk to an alien...;
but overall - staff is friendly, and at Front Desk they speak very good English!
"

Posted: Wed, Apr 10, 2013

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Would Return or Recommend?No

Reviews: DoubleTree Resort Central Pacific - All-Inclusive

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Complete All-Inclusive Details The all-inclusive DoubleTree Resort Central Pacific is a vacation experience to be remembered, as you enjoy this ecological paradise with superior style and comfort of a world-class hotel.

Buffet Show Cooking style breakfast, lunch and dinner

Alcoholic and non alcoholic Beverages

All-day snacks

A-la-carte dining available with reservations and upon request.

Daily activities programme

Evening entertainment and live music

Aerobics

Beach and pool volleyball

Kayaks, Boogieboards and Surfboards

FREE Wi-Fi in the Lobby and main Bar

Use of the tennis court with available gear, lighted

Use of the Gym

Use of kids club from 9:00 to 5:00 for Ages 4 to 12.

Mini Disco for Children ages 4 to 12 with music and dancing from 8 to 9 PM.

Teens Club for Children 13 to 17 years of age, open from 6PM to Midnight.

Taxes and Service Charge

TIP: Children rates are not included on the price quoted. When traveling with children 4-12 years old a rate of 51 USD per child per night will be charged at check in for those staying in the same room as their parents. Those 13 and over pay full adult rates, children under 4 years old Stay, Play and Eat FREE.

All Inclusive Plan Details

- Buffet Show Cooking style breakfast, lunch and dinner

- Alcoholic and non alcoholic Beverages

- All-day snacks

- A-la-carte dining available with reservations and upon request.

- Daily activities programme

Complete All Inclusive Plan Details Shown On The All Inclusive Plan Tab.

(+) = Additional fees may apply for the use of these amenities.(*) = Free, some restrictions may apply.

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